FELIZ NAVIDAD

MERRY CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS IN IBERO/IBEROAMERICA
Spain/Portugal
And the
Latin American Countries of Spanish/Portuguese cultures
EUROPE (Iberian Peninsula)
SPAIN
PORTUGAL
CARRIBEAN
CUBA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
PUERTO RICO
NORTH AMERICA
MEXICO
CENTRAL AMERICA
COSTA RICA
EL SALVADOR
GUATEMALA
HONDURAS
NICARAGUA
PANAMA
SOUTH AMERICA
ARGENTINA
BOLIVIA
BRAZIL (Only Portuguese speaking country in South America)
CHILE
COLOMBIA
ECUADOR
PARAGUAY
PERU
URUGUAY
VENEZUELA
The HEP Multicultural Day Committee, August 2005, compiled by Maria Buch Castillo, HEPM

SPAIN
Spanish:Feliz Navidad , Catalan: Bon Nadal
While most places in Spain celebrate with the usual Christmas festivities, in Granada and Jaen there is one
tradition, not at all common elsewhere. Named Hogueras (bonfires), this custom began prior to the arrival
of Christianity and is the observance of the Winter Solstice. Wood fires are built and people jump over
them in the belief that they will be protected against illness.
At the heart of the Spanish Christmas tradition is the elaborate nacimiento
(nativity scene), sometimes called a beln (Bethlehem) or presipio. You'll
find them in nearly every home as well as churches and in many public
places. Some are a community effort and people work on them throughout
the year. They are objects of pride, often handed down from generation to
generation.
As in many other European nations, Christmas markets are scattered among
villages and cities with booths filled with fruits such as pomegranates of
Andalusia, Valencia oranges, and Arragonese apples along with walnuts and
chestnuts from Galicia. There are also flowers, marzipan candies, baked goods, candles, decorations and
hand-crafted Christmas gifts. Choirs entertain at the markets and the scents and sounds fill the air during
the Advent season.
Church bells ring out on Noche Buena (the "Good Night" or Christmas Eve) calling everyone to Misa de
Gallo (Mass of the Rooster). Many believe that the most beautiful of these candlelight services is held at
the mountain monastery at Montserrat. The boy's choir at the monastery has been described as performing
the Mass in "one pure voice." At Labastida, shepherds enter the church bearing a lamb, and a shepherdess
carries a representation of the Christ Child.

After Mass, people return to their homes for a feast. In some areas it often features a main course of Pavo
or turkey, usually stuffed with truffles, but along the coast you may find cod or red snapper. Following the
meal, families usually gather around the Christmas tree to sing Spain's famous carols, called villancicos or
goigs. The celebration continues until dawn as expressed in an old Spanish proverb: Esta noche es NocheBuena, Y no es noche de dormir. (This is the Good Night, therefore it is not meant for sleep.)
Christmas Day sees more festive eating, either of leftovers from the previous night's meal or another
family feast. Some attend another church service.
One custom peculiar to Spain is that of "swinging." Swings are set up throughout the courtyards and
young people swing to the accompaniment of songs and laughter.
Some families have adopted the American Santa Claus, or Papa Noel as he is known locally, as the giftbringer on Christmas Eve, but most continue to wait until January 6th for the traditional visit of the Three
Kings.
On the Eve of Epiphany, January 5th, children fill their shoes with grass or grain for the kings' camels and
place them on the doorstep. During the night, the Three Kings, known as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar,
leave gifts in and around the shoes. January 6th, Epiphany, is heralded with parades in various cities
where candy and cakes are distributed to thousands of children lining the streets.
In some towns the Magi arrive in a boat from across the sea while in others they come by helicopter. You
may also see them astride horses or riding on parade floats. They visit hospitals, orphanages and homes
for the elderly, as they pass through Spain on their way to Bethlehem. The Spanish children have a great
fondness for the Three Kings, especially Balthazar.
OF SPECIAL NOTE... The three Wise men are seen everywhere in Spain at Christmas, visiting hospitals,
orphanages, etc. The men who dress up in various "Wise men" garments are from all walks of life. The
legend tells of the three Wise men traveling through the country on their way to Bethlehem. To properly
receive them, the children fill their shoes with straw on Epiphany Eve. For their efforts, they find their
shoes filled with presents the following (Epiphany) morning. Spanish children have a great fondness for
Balthazar.

PORTUGAL
On Christmas Eve Portuguese families gather around the Christmas tree and the Crche to celebrate the
birth of Jesus. Catholicism is the main religion in Portugal. Thus, the Crche is a very important part of
the celebration. Traditionally, children are in charge of collecting materials for the Crche. While some
families only display the three main figures, Infant Jesus, Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, others create large
scenes with the three figures, the Three Wise Kings, the shepherd and the sheep, lakes (made with
mirrors) and hills (made with stones, moss, and clay). Most children write letters to Infant Jesus asking
for presents rather than to Santa Claus.
Many families attend the Midnight Mass (called "Missa do Galo"). After mass they gather around the
table and have supper (called "Ceia de Natal"). On Christmas Eve, supper (called "Consoada") consists of
BACALHAU codfish with boiled potatoes and cabbage. After the meal, people eat traditional fried
desserts: "filhoses or filhs" are made of fried pumpkin dough; "rabanadas" are similar to french toast;
"azevias" are round cakes made of a crust filled with a mixture of chick peas, sugar, and orange peel;
"aletria" is a vermicelli sweet with eggs (typical of Douro and Minho region). Another traditional dessert
is "Bolo Rei". This is a fruitcake that is typically a New Years cake, but is becoming popular during
Christmas Holidays. In the cake there are two surprises: one is a little present like a fake ring, or a little
doll, or a medal. The other is not as welcomed. There is a raw broad bean. Whoever gets this bean has to
buy the "Bolo Rei" in the coming year. In addition to these desserts there are many other that differ from
region to region. In some regions of the country, carolers sing Christmas carols (called "Janeiras") in the
streets. Some families will open the presents (that are displayed around the Christmas tree) on Christmas
Eve around midnight. Others open them in the morning of the 25th, Christmas Day. Some families put
one shoe ("sapatinho") of each child next to the chimney (since most of the kitchens in Portugal have one)
or next to the fireplace instead of a stocking. On Christmas Day, people eat stuffed turkey for lunch and
the traditional desserts. During the holiday season towns are decorated with lights. The festivities end on
January 6, "Dia de Reis".

CHRISTMAS IN LATIN AMERICA

Christmas in some of Latin America countries are known as Las Posadas, Navidad and Dia de los Tres
Reyes. Throughout the season are a lot of bright flowers and brilliant nights. They celebrate with holiday
foods, songs. Those songs and foods eaten are greatly influenced by the different indigenous people of the
region but all share the strong Latin influence dating from the arrival of Roman Catholicism hundreds of
years ago. Christmas is very much a religious holiday centered around the age-old story of the
Nacimiento, Christ's Child.
Native Bolivians celebrate Christmas more as a harvest festival. Thanks are given for completion of the
year's work. They give an account of the work done during the year and propose what is to be done the
next year. Christmas tends to become a feast of adoration of the Goddess Mother Earth, who is asked to
bring a fruitful harvest, to keep away plagues, and to give a prosperous year.
In Brazil Santa Claus is little known and those who do know of the jolly fellow call him Papa Noel. The
children have no Christmas trees, but they do have a crche or Presepio, representing the Christ-child's
birth. Gifts and toys are exchanged during the holidays after which the Presepio is put away until the
following Christmas.
In Ecuador the children write letters to the Christ-child and place shoes in the window in which he may
place toys as he passes by on Christmas Eve. Noise-making toys are common and are used with much
energy on the streets on Christmas morning.
Since the weather is very warm, most celebrations are in the streets. There are firecrackers, brass bands,
and dancing. At midnight everyone goes to Mass. after which the family dinner is enjoyed.

CUBA

The ban on celebrating Christmas was lifted in 1998. Christmas was banned by Castro in 1969. The ban
was lifted in 1998 with because of the upcoming visit by Pope John Paul II. But before the ban,
Christmas in Cuba was wonderful! On Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) the families would gather together
and have a GREAT feast. Everyone would go to the 'misa del gallo' at midnight (mass of the rooster).
Once mass was over, many people returned to the parties for more food, drinks, dancing and laughter.
The roast pork was the main entree. Along with this there were black beans, white rice, yuca con mojo
(mojo is a type of marinade with garlic, onions, and sour orange), some salad and of course lots of Cuban
bread. Desserts included orange and grapefruit shells in a heavy syrup and buuelos -- a type of fried
sweet dough with powdered sugar and syrup. There was also Spanish turrones (a nougat candy that
comes in a large bar), cheeses, nuts and lots of wine, beer, and sidra -- Spanish cider.
There were basically two groups of people celebrating Noche Buena -- the party givers and the party
goers who made the rounds from house to house spreading holiday cheer.
Cuban Christmas trees looked very much like American ones, complete with the angel on top. Michael the
Archangel was a popular choice. However, the Christmas tree took a back seat to the beautiful
nacimientos (nativity, or manger scenes) the main decoration in Cuban homes. Most Cuban manger sets
included many different figures, including the Three Kings.
Although some adopted the American tradition of Santa Clause, It was the Three Kings, 'Los Reyes
Magos' who brought the main gifts. Children would leave straw for the camels on the eve of the feast of
the Three Kings, January 6. On the 5th there was a parade lead by the Three Kings who tossed candy to
the children. Although Castro has given permission for the Christmas celebrations again since the Pope's
visit, the young people of Cuba haven't been brought up with these traditions.

PUERTO RICO
Puerto Ricans are known for their unforgettable "parrandas or trullas navideas". A parranda is a small
group of friends who gathers to "asaltar" or surprise another friend. It's the Puerto Rican version of
Christmas caroling. Most parranderos play some sort of instrument, either guitarras, tamboriles, giro
maracas, or palitos. They continue singing and playing until their prospective host lets them in for drinks
and refreshments. Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico begin early in December and continue into the
middle of January'.
On Nochebuena (Christmas eve), families gather for the celebration of Midnight Mass, commonly known
as Misa de Gallo (Rooster Mass) after the ancient tradition of celebrating the Mass of the Nativity at the
time the rooster crows. Christmas Day is spent by exchanging gifts, visiting friends and relatives, and
feasting.
Children in Puerto Rico acknowledge both Santa Claus and the Three Wise Men as holiday gift-bearers.
There has been an increased emphasis on celebrating the Epiphany (feast of the Three Kings), January 6,
because of the island's Spanish heritage. On the eve of the Epiphany, children leave grass and water for
the Wise Men's camels in expectation of their arrival with gifts. The Da de Reyes marks a festive end to
the Christmas season. However, some Puerto Ricans still observe the traditional Octavitas (Little
Octaves), which are an eight-day period of continuing Christmas celebrations after the Epiphany).
Traditional Puerto Rican Christmas foods include lechn asado (roast pig), arroz con gandules (rice
cooked with pigeon peas), and pasteles (these are a rectangular-shaped type of croquette or pie. The main
ingredient may be yellow rice, mashed cassava, or mashed plantain with fillings of ground or shredded
meat, chick peas, olives, and raisins). Coquito, a blend of evaporated milk, cream of coconut, white rum,
vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon (other recipes may ask to add condensed milk and raw eggs as
well). A typical Christmas dessert in Puerto Rico may include tembleque (a firm coconut pudding) or
arroz con dulce (white rice cooked with coconut milk and raisins); both are usually topped with ground
cinnamon. Other foods eaten during the Christmas season are turrn (a hard white nougat with almonds
imported from Spain), Spanish cidra , nuts, and assorted candies.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Early in December, Christmas Celebrations start. The 'Aguinaldos', are informal parties. A group of
people, singing traditional Christmas melodies, will get people to open the doors for them and invite them
in for refreshments.
Every public employee receives a "doble sueldo," a Christmas bonus, amounting to one month's salary.
Most businesses also follow the custom of "doble sueldo." Angelitos (Little Angels), is the Christmas
tradition of exchanging small presents between friends or work colleagues. The names of all people
involved are written in small papers and put them in a basket. Everyone will pick up one name become
their 'little angel' reponsible for 'secretly' buying them a present!. On the final day for giving presents,
people will give a nice present to their angels as well as un-cover their 'real' identities.
Christmas dinner is comprised of different plates which can range from pork on the grill, ham or
sancocho. Sancocho is a popular dish among all income groups; it contains plantains, meat and vegetables
all made into a soup. This delicious dinner is shared with the family and close friends.
Nearing 12 Midnight the party starts to break up, for some will go to "La Misa del Gallo" (Midnight
mass) and some will decide to stay talking and drinking until dawn. Mass on Christmas Day is normally
held only at 12 noon to allow those who didn't go to La Misa del Gallo to still come to mass.
On Christmas Day some people will exchange some gifts, but it has been the old custom to wait until "El
da de Reyes" (The Three Kings' Day), on January 6th.
On January 5th, at 7 p.m. the Three Kings go on parade. Children from all over are anxiously awaiting to
see the Three Kings pass in front of them. You can hear the children scream asking for last-minute items
they forgot to include on their list of gifts.
After the Three Kings pass on their camels every child rushes home to bed, but before they put their head
on the pillow, they place some water and grass under the Christmas tree for the camels.

MEXICO
Mexicans share many traditions with the Spanish. Their main Christmas celebration is called La Posada,
which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of
Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house carrying the images of Mary and
Joseph looking for shelter.
Santa Claus is not predominant, but the bright red suit is represented in the traditional flower of the
season. This flower is the poinsettia, which has a brilliant red star-shaped bloom. It is believed that a
young boy walking to the church to see the nativity scene showing the birth of Jesus had realized on the
way that he had no gift to offer the Christ child so he gathered up some plain green branches as he walked
in he was laughed at but upon placing the branches near the manger they started to bloom a bright red
poinsettia flower on each branch.
The Mexican children receive gifts. On Christmas day they are blindfolded and taken to try and break a
decorated clay piata that dangles and swings at the end of a rope. Once the piata has been broken, the
children clamor to recover the candy that was inside the piata. Those children who have been good also
on January 6th receive a gift from the Three Wise Men.
Mexicans attend a midnight mass service which is called la misa del gallo or "the rooster's mass," and at
the mass they sing lullabies to Jesus.

COSTA RICA
A very popular Latin American tradition--the portal--is a nativity scene constructed of mosses and grass,
colored sawdust, cypress twigs, black paper, silver glitter and figurines representing the birth of Jesus in
the manger. Along with the traditional figures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, the three wise men
and the ox and mule, Costa Ricans commonly add extra embellishments like dolls, little farm animals,
tiny toys, fruits and berries, and lights.
The figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the portal at midnight on December twentyfourth. That's also when the adults open their gifts. The children are told that the
Baby Jesus brings their gifts while they are sleeping. Nowadays, Saint Nicholas
has also become an important part of the custom and his rotund presence is
everywhere.
Posadas take place during the nine days before Christmas. Originating in Spain
and Mexico, the posada consists of a group of neighbors getting together at a
different neighbor's house each day to act out the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary
to Bethlehem. This is accompanied by singing and praying, snacks of the season, and lots of tamales.
The Misa de Gallo, Christmas Mass, takes place at midnight on December twenty-fifth. That is the night
that many families enjoy their traditional Christmas dinner
Traditional seasonal foods include the tamal (corn flour dough stuffed with potatoes, vegetables and pork
or chicken, then boiled in plantain leaves) (here is a recipe for Costa Rican tamales); pupusa (tortilla with
cheese, corn and whatever); vigoron (cabbage, tomato, yucca and fried pork rind, served on a plantain
leaf); and grilled pork, chicken and sausage. Many Costa Ricans have adopted the foreign custom of
eating turkey and ham, as long as they are accompanied by the traditional Costa Rican tamal. Rompope is
also in great supply. Known by North Americans as eggnog, it is generously fortified with dark rum or
brandy.
The closing ceremony to the Christmas season isn't until January sixth (traditionally the date the three
wise men arrived to worship Jesus) when neighbors get together for a special prayer for the Baby Jesus.
Family and friends pray the rosary and sing Christmas carols. Then food is offered and the portal
disassembled and put away until next year.

EL SALVADOR
Salvadorans, like most if not all Latin Americans, value family and put it first during Christmas
celebrations. Family gatherings begin at about 7:00 pm (on Christmas Eve), when members start arriving
at a determined home, mostly the grandparents. A must to bring along are fireworks, usually estrellitas
which are used around midnight, when everything and everyone is in a festive
frenzy with laughter and hugs for the birth of Baby Jesus. Christmas may very well be the one time of
the year when the whole family is together and "catching up" is in order. Friends drop in to spread good
wishes and are invited to stay over for dinner, even if it is known that most are doing their "traditional
route" through friends' homes before arriving to their own family's celebration. The Misa de Gallo or
"Rooster Mass", which is the name for the Christmas Mass begins at midnight. Some families choose to
eat before the Mass, others after it. On the way to Mass, it is usual to hear the loud noise of fireworks.
Dinner menus vary as does the times for dinner. Upper and upper middle class families may enjoy a more
"Americanized" menu of turkey and ham, while traditional middle class and lower strata families may
have chicken or even special homemade tamales.

Just before saying goodbye to the family, a tradition is to place the Baby Jesus figure as part of the
Nativity Scene under the Christmas tree. Even when the Nativity Scene may be set under the tree a
month before, the figure is not placed until after midnight of this day, symbolizing that Christ is now
born.

GUATEMALA
Gifts are left under the tree on Christmas morning by the Christ Child for the children. The Christmas
tree has joined the nacimiento as a popular ornament because of the large German population in
Guatemala.
For nine days before Christmas, Posada processions pass through the streets. The beat of drums and the
crackle of fireworks provide lively accompaniment as the figures of Mary and Joseph are carried to a
friend's house, where a carol is sung asking for lodging for the Holy Family. After ritual questions and
answers, the doors are opened and Mary and Joseph are taken to the nacimiento, or manger scene, where
they will remain until the next night, when they once again go out seeking shelter. Everyone who
accompanies the figures on their quest makes a great party with punch and hot tamales and dancing once
the goal is accomplished. On Christmas Eve, the figure of the Christ Child is added to the nacimiento at
the last of the nine houses to receive the Holy Family. This is the signal for the biggest party of all, and
the home selected had better be a large one, since everyone who Bright, tropical flowers highlight
decorations for Christmas. Special trips are made to gather wild orchids blooming in the jungle areas. The
manger scene is called a portal and is decorated with these brilliant flowers and colorful fresh fruit.
Wreaths of cypress leaves and red coffee berries are very popular. The supper after Midnight Mass
consists of tamales and other local dishes. Children used to leave their shoes out for the Christ Child to
fill, but Santa Claus is relieving Him of this task now.was involved over the last nine days will show up
on this night.

HONDURAS
Hondurans party in their homes, jobs, clubs, bars, and even in churches. It doesnt matter what their
social position or religion people everywhere prepare for several weeks before Christmas Day. They
prepare parties for their families, friends and co-workers and have several traditional
Foods like pork, tamales, eggnog, beer and aguardiente. They usually have a dinner with the family. Then
they drop by the homes of their friends and neighbors to drink, eat and dance. They usually end up
stuffed with delicious food and drink. Then, at 12 oclock they all hug and say Feliz Navidad (Merry
Christmas) to each other. At the same time, firecrackers and cherry bombs are exploding everywhere. It
looks like a battlefield.
After 12 oclock, the young people usually go to bars to drink and dance until the sun comes up. The
preparation before Christmas is usually made in homes and stores. But they all set their Christmas tree up
and adorn it with lights and many other decorations. They also put little light bulbs outside their homes.
And, of course, the kids make their list to Santa.

NICARAGUA
Like many Latin American countries, Nicaragua retains many of the customs of old Spain. In the weeks
leading up to Christmas people stroll the streets where there are many things to buy: candles, Nativity
pictures, toys and foods.
Christmas begins officially on December 6 in Nicaragua, but actual activities begin on December 16 with
the performance of the lodging difficulties of Mary and Joseph. Children carry colorful bouquets of
tropical flowers to the altar of the Virgin where they sing carols. In the Central American climate there is a
profusion of flowers growing everywhere at this time of year. Churches and homes are decorated in bright
colors to match the flowers.
From December 16 until Christmas Eve Mass, prayer is held each evening in the home, followed by
refreshments and the singing of Christmas carols. On Christmas Eve, church bells beckon the people to
Midnight Mass.
After Christmas Eve Mass, the Christmas dinner is consumed with only the adults in attendance.
Christmas cards are exchanged which are white and plain.
Christmas Day is celebrated with much fun and eating, fireworks and dancing. The main streets of the
town and cities are decorated and have loud-speakers broadcasting. On January 6, the feast of the
Epiphany, it is the Three Kings who bring gifts for the children. Often the holiday season concludes with a
brilliant display of fireworks.

PANAMA
Christmas festivities begin with Mothers Day on December 8th. Painting and preparing the home is very
common in Panama for the holidays. A full Christmas tree is set up at this time with the traditional lights,
angel tree top, icicles, and other traditional ornaments just as in the states. Gifts and candy are purchased
throughout the season.
During the day on December 24th, food preparation and house cleaning takes place. Some traditional
Panamanian food is ham and tamales (a corn paste with tomato sauce, meats, olives, prunes, and spices
wrapped in banana leaves and boiled). Fruitcake is a popular food item as well as potato salad with beets.
Bowls of fruit decorate tables. The Panamanians listen to music as they await midnight to feast and visit
family and friends. After eating, it is common for people to dance and celebrate in the streets. At
midnight, gifts are allowed to be opened as well.
On Christmas Day, December 25th, most worship at their church in the morning. The rest of the day is
spent visiting far-away family and friends and eating the same holiday foods.

ARGENTINA
People go to the church with family, then come back to a family gathering. At midnight after eating they
toast, then the adults' dance while younger people go out to see the fireworks. After this they go to sleep,
but before opening the presents under the Christmas tree. That day is very special for because they are
Christian and celebrate Jesus' birth on the 24th of December.
The dinner food is pork, turkey, and a great variety of meals. Then the table is covered with sweet things,
cider, beer, and juice for consuming while waiting for the time of the toast. After the toast all the family
chat, others play.
Houses are decorated with red and white garlands; on the door Father Christmas's Boots are placed. The
Christmas tree is decorated with colored lights, ornaments and Father Christmas placed on top of it.
Mothers make different kinds of meals such as roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed tomatoes, mince pies,
Christmas's bread and puddings. The toast: drink prepared with different kinds of fruit which is cut into
pieces, and then it is mixed with juice and cider.

BOLIVIA
Throughout Bolivia, Christmas is celebrated in a deeply religious way. The main focus of the season is
the pesebre or nativity scene which is found in both home and churches. On Christmas Eve, church bells
ring to call families to Mass at midnight for La Misa Del Gallo or the Mass of the Rooster. The Christmas
feasting begins when everyone returns home from Mass. Since December ushers in the summertime in
Bolivia, the Christmas drinks are iced and flowers are in bloom to give color to the season. On January 6,

the feast of the Epiphany, it is the Three Kings who bring gifts for the children of Bolivia. On the night
before Epiphany, children set out their shoes with letters to the kings.
Bolivia is in the central part of South America, southwest of Brazil.

BRAZIL
Brazilians are a mix of different ethnic people, and as a former Portuguese colony, they have many
Christmas customs which originate from this heritage. One tradition is to create a nativity scene or
Prespio. The word originates from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon
which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. The Prespio is common in northeastern Brazil. Nowadays prespios
are set up in December and displayed in churches, homes, and stores.
Papai Noel or Father Noel is the gift-bringer in Brazil. According to legend, he lives in Greenland. When
he arrives in Brazil, he usually wears silk clothing due to the summer heat. A huge Christmas dinner
includes turkey, ham, colored rice, and wonderful vegetables and fruit dishes.
Families often attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. The mass has this name because the rooster
announces the coming day. On December 25th, Catholics go to church, but the masses are mostly late
afternoon, because people enjoy sleeping late after the dinner called Ceia de Natal or going to the beach.
Decorations include fresh flowers picked from the garden. Fireworks go off in the skies over the cites and
huge Christmas "trees" of electric lights can be seen against the night skies in major cities such as
Brasilia, San Paolo, and Rio de Janeiro.
In Brazil there is folk dancing and singing and the festivities go on until January 6th, which the Brazilians
refer to as Three Kings Day. January 6th is supposed to be the day when three wise men visited Jesus to
bring him gifts.

CHILE
Chile's gift-bringer is called Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas. He strongly resembles Santa Claus
and likewise comes drawn by reindeer. However, as chimneys are less than roomy in this warm climate,
he contents himself with climbing in a window.
Chile is located in Southwestern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific
Ocean, between Argentina and Peru.
As in most Latin American nations, Chile's Christmas celebrations center on the church and the family.
The nation's Catholics observe the novena, nine days of prayer and fasting before Christmas.
Chile's gift-bringer is called Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas. He strongly resembles Santa Claus
and likewise comes drawn by reindeer which is quite unusual since it is summer in South America during
the month of December. However, as chimneys are less than roomy in this warm climate, he contents
himself with climbing in a window.
Christmas Eve dinner is eaten very late, most often after Midnight Mass or Misa del Gallo, and consists of
turkey and an array of salads, seafood, and olives, accompanied by the local wine, for which Chile is well
known. Deserts always include Pan de Pascua, a sweet Christmas bread, along with fruit, cake and
cookies.
Christmas day is a family day and the days following are for visiting neighbors and friends.

COLOMBIA
The Christmas season in Colombia starts on December 7 when families light candles in honor of the
Virgin Mary. The church celebrates December 8 as the day of the Immaculate Conception. This is a
Colombian National Holiday and a day of Obligation with the church. It is celebrated with a display of
lights as each home will light approximately 100 candles on the curb and sidewalk area. City streets and
Parks are illuminated with large Christmas lights as well.
On December 16 Colombian families typically start setting up the Christmas tree which is artificial for
ecological reasons. The Christmas tree is decorated with lights and bowls. Families set up Nativity scenes
which are either plastic or hand crafted figures. From December 16 through December 24, families
usually gather together at night around Nativity scenes to pray and sing carols in the Novena de
Aguinaldos. On Christmas Eve family members and neighbors gather to eat and dance. Traditional
Colombian foods include: ajiaco (a soup with potatoes), chicken and natilla (a corn based dessert) and
buuelos. Everyone waits until midnight to wish each other Merry Christmas and to exchange gifts.
Traditionally, El Nio Jesus, the Christ Child is the one who would bring you the gifts. But recently Santa
Claus has been introduced as a gift-giver as well. Children get up on Christmas morning and find gifts at
the foot of their beds.

ECUADOR
Colorful processions take place on Christmas Day in Ecuador as the people who live in the mountains
dress in their finest clothes and ride brightly arrayed llamas down to the ranches of their employers.
Christmas Day is a day of colorful procession as the Indians who live and work in the highlands and
mountains dress in their finest and ride their brightly arrayed llamas down to the ranches where their
employers live. They bring gifts of fruit and produce, which they lay before the image of the Christ Child
in the Pesebre, or manger scene, which is set up in the ranch house. Children also bring their gifts and
make pretty speeches to the Holy Infant, asking blessings for their family and their animals. Then there is
a fiesta with much singing and dancing outdoors.
Children often make speeches to the Holy Infant, asking for blessings upon their family and their
livestock. A huge outdoor fiesta will take place (it's summertime in December in Ecuador) with much
singing and dancing. The ranch owners will distribute Christmas gifts to all the employees and their
families.
The Christmas dinner will usually consist of roast lamb, baked potatoes, and brown sugar bread. In the
cities, turkey is the preferred main course. There is always too much to eat, so that the processions that
wend their way into the mountains at the end of the day are as heavily laden with leftovers as they were
with offerings in the morning.

PARAGUAY
Christmas in Paraguay is celebrated in a deeply religious way. The main focus of the season is the pesebre
or nativity scene which is found in both the home and in churches. December is the summer season in
South America, and there is a profusion of flowers growing everywhere at this time of year. Churches and
homes are decorated in bright colors to match the flowers. On Christmas Eve, church bells beckon the
people to church at midnight for La Misa Del Gallo or the Mass of the Rooster. The Christmas feasting
begins when family and friends return home from Mass. On January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, it is the
Three Kings who bring gifts for the children of Paraguay. On the night before Epiphany, children set out
their shoes with letters to the kings

PERU
In Peru nativity scenes with retablos inside are very popular. When priests were first taken to traveling
they would carry small altars around with them for festival days. These gradually developed into portable
boxes with saints above the altar and scenes from everyday life below it. Now the retablos depict Mary,
Joseph and baby Jesus, with local people crowding around.
Manger scenes in Peru are often carved from wood by members of the Quechua tribe. The figures are
usually wearing clothing styles from the time of the conquistadors and the carving techniques date to the
sixteenth century.

On Christmas Eve, the meal following Midnight Mass features tamales. Christmas Day festivities in the
capital, Lima, are highlighted by a bullfight and a huge procession through the streets with the statue of
the Virgin Mary on a solid silver platform.

URUGUAY
Uruguay is located in the southern part of South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Argentina and Brazil.
The nativity scene or presebre is an important part of Christmas in Uruguay. You will find them in homes
as well as churches. Noche Buena or Christmas Eve is the time for a family feast. After dinner, the
children open their presents and the family then goes to Midnight Mass called Misa de Gallo.
Since December is the beginning of summer in Uruguay, it's not unusual for people to head for the beach
on Christmas Day in resorts such as Punta del Este.

VENEZUELA
In Venezuela on December 16th families bring out their pesebres which is a specially designed and
thought out depiction of the nativity scene.
It is a custom to attend at one of nine carol services is observed by most Venezuelans. Firecrackers
explode and bells ring to call worshippers from bed in the predawn hours. The last of the masses takes
place on Nochebuena de Navidad Christmas Eve. Families attend a mass on this night and then return
home to a huge and fancy dinner.
On January 6th when the children awaken they will discover that the straw that they had left beside their
bed the night before has gone and in its place are gifts the children know that the Magi and their camels
have been and when they go to look in the mirror if they have a black smudge on their cheek they know
that Balthazar, King of the Ethiopians has kissed them whilst they slept.